Ohio Derby Under Consideration for O Besos
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Photo: Chad B. Harmon
O Besos trains April 25 in preparation for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
Potentially headed by Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Rombauer and 2020 champion 2-year-old male Essential Quality , a large field is anticipated for the June 5 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park.
Unlikely to join them for the 1 1/2-mile test is O Besos , the fifth-place finisher from the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). Trainer Greg Foley said May 18 he is inclined to pass the third leg of the Triple Crown, and also the May 29 Matt Winn Stakes (G3) at the trainer's home track at Churchill Downs.
"I don't know for sure, (we're) maybe looking at the Ohio Derby with him," Foley said.
The June 26 Ohio Derby (G3) is a $500,000 race at 1 1/8 miles at Thistledown.
O Besos, a winner of two of six starts and $262,624, is owned by Bernard Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, Terry Stephens, and the Foley family's Tagg Team Racing. The Orb colt rallied from 12th in the Derby to finish 5 1/2 lengths behind winner Medina Spirit . He could be elevated to fourth if a split sample test from Medina Spirit confirms the presence of betamethasone and that competitor is disqualified.
O Besos was Foley's second Derby starter. His first, Lloyd Madison Farms' Major Fed , finished 10th in September. Unraced since the fall, Major Fed is pointed toward an allowance in about three weeks, according to Foley.